English 2033E Lecture Notes - Lecture 19: Hobbit, Gollum, Bsc Young Boys
28 Sep 2017
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Document Summary
With the hobbit, we are beginning our section on fantasy books for children. Gables that don"t spark boys" interest hence the popularity of the harry potter books; they appeal to boys and girls alike, giving boys not only a male protagonist but all the fantasy elements they enjoy. An informal survey of avid sci-fi and fantasy readers suggests that the appeal of fantasy lies in identifying with a dazzlingly powerful character who wreaks all kinds of destruction someone like gandalf. However, the hobbit doesn"t really fit that model . Bilbo is not an all-powerful wizard, but merely a burglar; in fact, he"s a reluctant adventurer who initially declines gandalf"s offer of adventure and falls over in a fit of terror at the thought of danger. The advantage of this kind of characterization is that it"s easier to identify with bilbo; his initial reluctance means that there is room for his growth and development.
